K-Swiss Blade Max Stability - Men’s

The Basics

Runner’s World Review

Compared with the Creation, the Blade Max offers a snug fit, especially for normal- to narrow-footed runners. What's that? You have pretty wide feet? Then you may want to look elsewhere as the shoe's upper material doesn't have much elasticity. That said, the upper is seam-free, so it's not likely to cause blisters or hot spots. You'll also notice the Max Stable uses a flat-bottomed outsole (called Full Contact Road Control Bottoms). So, where many shoes have a bit of empty space beneath the arch and the road, here the entire outsole is in contact with the ground, improving stability and traction. Be aware that the sole's wide treads are a vacuum for small rocks and debris.

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BOTTOM LINE: A shoe whose sole delivers a faster-than-expected feel.

Runner’s World Wear Testers Say

“It was comfortable and lighter weight than what I normally run in, but stones got caught in the treads.”—James Segal, 61, Metuchen, New Jersey

“While it’s a lighter shoe, I didn’t feel as if the cushioning was sacrificed too much.”—Malia Lyles, 26, Metuchen, New Jersey

“It was snug in the midfoot, and the toebox fit well without being sloppy. My only issue was that they tended to pick up, and cling on to, small pebbles.”—Tim Lambert, 42, Allentown, Pennsylvania

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All the Stats You Need!

Weight: Very Heavy | 12.4 oz

Heel-To-Toe-Drop: High | 10.8 mm

Heel Height: Very High | 37.3 mm

Heel Cushioning: Moderate

Forefoot Height: Very High | 26.5 mm

Forefoot Cushioning: Moderate

Flexibility: Stiff

Stability Features: Moderate

Energy Return: Moderate

We put each shoe through real-world usage and a battery of mechanical tests in our lab to provide you with objective — and exclusive — data. In addition to a shoe's weight, we measure sole thickness (everything that sits between your foot and the road), how well the foam cushions your stride, and the flexibility of the forefoot. All this is taken into account in our reviews of each shoe.

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